String lights storage apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided including a string of lights, and a device. The device may include a body portion, a first extension, a second extension, a third extension, and a fourth extension. The first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend out from the body portion. The string of lights can be wound around the body portion of the device so that the first, second, third, and fourth extensions prevent the string of lights from sliding off of the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning the storage of string lights such as Christmas tree string lights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After being removed from their packaging, Christmas tree lights often become tangled. These lights are typically fragile and can also be easily broken. Current storage methods for Christmas tree lights are inadequate to prevent tangling or damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an apparatus comprising a string of lights, and a device. The device may be comprised of a body portion, a first extension, a second extension, a third extension, and a fourth extension, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend out from the body portion. The string of lights can be wound around the body portion of the device so that the first, second, third, and fourth extensions prevent the string of lights from sliding off of the device. The device may have a width of about seven inches and a height of about fourteen inches. The device may be flat and rigid. The device may be made of stiff cardboard or rigid plastic. The first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend outward from top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right portions, respectively, of the body portion. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth extensions may extend about three and one half inches outward from the body portion.

The present invention in one or more embodiments may include a method comprising the step of winding a string of lights around a body portion of the device as specified previously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention along with a set of Christmas tree string lights wrapped around a portion of the device;

FIG. 2 shows a left side view of the device along with the set of Christmas tree string lights of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention along with a set of Christmas tree string lights 100 wrapped or wound around a spool section 22 of a body portion 20 of the device 10. FIG. 2 shows a left side view of the device 10 of FIG. 1 along with the string lights 100. A right side view of the device 10 of FIG. 1 is not shown, but would be the same as the left side view. FIG. 3 shows a top view of the device 10. A bottom view of the device 10 is not shown but would be the same as the top view.

The device 10 includes extensions 12, 14, 16, and 18 and body portion 20. The body portion 20 may include the spool section 22 around which the set of Christmas tree string lights 100 is wound or wrapped. The device 10 may be flat. The device 10 may include a left edge 10 a and a right edge 11 a. The device 10 may also include top edges 12 a and 14 a and bottom edges 16 a and 18 a. The spool section 22 may include top edge 22 a and bottom edge 22 b.

The extensions 12, 14, 16, and 18 may each have a width, W1, which may be one and one half inches. The spool section 22 may have a width, W2, which may be four inches. The device 10 may have a height of fourteen inches. Each of the extensions 12, 14, 16, and 18 may extend out a distance of H2 from the body portion 20, wherein H2 may be three and one half inches. The device 10 may be made of stiff cardboard or a rigid plastic.

The device 10 may have an opening 30 which may be used as a handle for carrying the device 10 along with the string lights 100 while it is wound around the spool section 22. The opening 30 may be large enough for an average adult human being to insert four fingers through the opening 30. The opening 30 may have a width, W3, which may be three-quarters of an inch. The opening 30 may have a height, H3, which may be three and one-half inches. The adult can insert four fingers through the opening 30, one finger at each of locations 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d which are shown in dashed lines. The adult can then grasp the portion of the device 10 between opening 30 and edge 10 a and thereby pick up the device 10, such that the edge 10 a become the top and the edge 11 a becomes the bottom.

The string of lights 100 includes a plurality of lights 104, including light 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d. The string of lights 100 includes an electrical socket 106 and an electrical plug 108. The string of lights includes conductors 102 such as conductors 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c. The string of lights 100 may be any known string of lights or may be replaced by any known string of lights.

In operation, an individual can wind the string of lights 100 around the spool section 22, so that multiple loops are formed by the string of lights 100. In this manner the string of lights 100 is kept from tangling or from being damaged.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a string of lights; a device comprised of a body portion, a first extension, a second extension, a third extension, and a fourth extension, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend out from the body portion; and wherein the string of lights can be wound around the body portion of the device so that the first, second, third, and fourth extensions prevent the string of lights from sliding off of the device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device has a width of about seven inches and a height of about fourteen inches.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is flat and rigid.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is made of rigid plastic.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is made of stiff cardboard.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend outward from top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right portions, respectively, of the body portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend about three and one half inches outward from the body portion.
 8. A method comprising the steps of: winding a string of lights around a body portion of a device; wherein the device is comprised of the body portion, a first extension, a second extension, a third extension, and a fourth extension, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend out from the body portion; and wherein the string of lights are wound around the body portion of the device so that the first, second, third, and fourth extensions prevent the string of lights from sliding off of the device.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the device has a width of about seven inches and a height of about fourteen inches.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the device is flat and rigid.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the device is made of rigid plastic.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the device is made of stiff cardboard.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend outward from top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right portions, respectively, of the body portion.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth extensions extend about three and one half inches outward from the body portion. 